Hi everyone !

If you’re reading my page I am really really grateful ! This is definitely the biggest challenge I have ever taken part in .

Back in June last year Dad started thinking about what 50th Birthday present he could give himself , and he decided that he wanted to get a relay team together and swim the Channel .Now Ill be honest, I myself am not a big swimmer, so when Dad ruled me out of the draw, initially I wasn't too bothered.However, when he asked my two older brothers to join and not me, that was it !!! It was then and there I decided that I had to do the swim! I spent the next six months badgering him until I finally wore him down ( he couldn’t find anyone else willing to do it ) and he let me join his relay team of four .

The team:

- Dad

- Birchy

- Mills

- Me

Jokes aside, we are raising money for an absolutely brilliant charity called Aspire. Aspires mission is to transform the lives of those affected by spinal cord injuries. They provide essential support, resources, and rehabilitation services to individuals and families navigating the challenges of spinal cord injuries. Your donation will directly contribute to funding vital programs, equipment, and research initiatives, empowering individuals to lead fulfilling and independent lives post-injury.

Our challenge involves:

Swimming 50km of open water, from England to France . However where you end up and also the distance you swim is heavily dependent on the currents and tides.

We will set off from Dover in the dark, expected to be around 2AM-3AM . It’s approximately going to take us around 13-20 hours and we will each be swimming hour stints at a time.

The water will be a fresh 14-16 degrees (fingers crossed for a warm summer). No wetsuits are allowed just a swimming costume and a cap/goggles, or in Dads case and to my utter dismay a beautiful pair of budgy smugglers !!

Most excited about: having a long victory lunch in France washed down with gallons of gallons of champagne, and getting home and having a warm bath.

Least excited about: having to dodge a large ship, freezing to death, drowning, or getting a getting a jelly fish in the face .

Thank you so much for taking time to read my page! This is an amazing cause so please give as generously as you can. Meanwhile, I will try my very best to complete this challenge .

Thank you

Love Soph xx